Bank fixture



Sept.l l, 1931. F. rci.. HlRoNs ET Al. 1,821,708

' BANK FIXTURE Filed May 1a,` 1929 y @sheets-sheet 1v i Sept. 1, 1931.F. c. HlRoN ET AL' L SZL'OS BANK FIXTURE Filed May 1s. 192s 4sheets-sheet 2 ggg. 3.

. 29 45 f5 a. |25 l 11. :5 14

u i Lu r Sept l, 1931 F. HlRoNs ET AL 1,821,708

BANK FIXTURE Filed May 18A 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 74 0 Jig@ i? jg s 3f 262 l. awa/k @ATTORNEY septI 1, 1931.

' F. C. HIRONS ET AL BANK FIXTURE Filed May 18. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Patented Sept. l, 1931 lslil' SATES PATENT EFHCE NEX/V YORK,ANIDKDANIEKL R.

BANK FIXTURE Application led May 18,

Our invention relates to bank fixtures, and more particularly to bankcounters and to protective means associated with suc-h counters. 1anksand financial institutions are generally provided with cages for thedividual tellers and bank operators with whom customers and businesspeople trans act their business, rlhese cages are generally four walledenclosures, each cage having a self-closing and self-locking door. Inlocalities where space is valuable and floor room is limited, thesecages present serious objection due to the large amount of floor spacerequired for each. These cages must furthermore be spaced a considerabledistance from the building wall to the rear thereof to provide thenecessary passageway to and past the cages. Cages comprising four wallenclosures, with self-closing and self-locking doors, havegenerally-been considered necessary in order to provide the properprotection to the securities and valuables contained therein. Tellers,when temporarily leaving the cages, usually leave their currency,papers, etc., on top of the counters, relying solely on the locked cagedoors to protect these articles against confusion and loss, since it isvery tedious and time-consuming to take these articles from the counterand lock them in a drawer whenever a cage is vacated temporarily, and torestore them from the 'drawers to the counters each time a tellerreturns. Also, such handling of these articles leads to confusion andloss. Because the tellers leave their articles on the counters whentemporarily leaving the cage, it is unexpedient for a substitute ortemporary teller to do business in another tellers cage, due to thelikelihood of confusion of papers, currency, records and the like.

An object of this invention is to provide a counter orer which acustomer can transact business readily and easily with a teller or bankoperator, and which eliminates the necessity of having tellers cages.

Another object of this invention is to provide a counter for banks andother financial' institutions adapted to safeguard and protect thetellers currency, papers, and other ar- 1929. Serial No. 364,244.

ticles against confusion, loss and burglary without requiring a cage forthis purpose.

Another object of this invention is to pro,- vide a counter adapted foruse in banks and financial institutions generally, which permits atemporary teller to occupy and transact business at any counter withoutdanger of confusion of currency, papers or the like of the temporaryteller with the currency, papers or the like of the teller regularlystationed there.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tellers counter forbanks and financial institutions adapted to supplant the cagecompartments generally in use; which gives added protection againstrobbery, loss and confusion; which occupies little space; which lendsitself readily to aesthetic harmony with the bank interior; which can beeasily and quickly installed; which is easy t-o keep clean and sanitary;and which can be manufactured and supplied at less cost than the cagecompartments now generally in use. n Y

Other objects of this invention will become obvious as the disclosureproceeds.

In accordance with our invention, our lixture comprises usually a lineof tellers counters positioned along the partition or wall which thecustomers approach to transact business with the tellers, these countersbeing preferably well below the windows through which the Vbusiness istransacted. As usual, at the bottom of each Window is a shelf on whicharticles are placed when passed between the teller and customers. Insidethe partition and below the transacting shelves are working counters forthe tellers. A char acteristic of our invention is the provision of acover for each work counter, whereby articles on each counter areprotected against confusion, loss and robbery. The cover maybe designedto cover any part or the whole of the counter, as desired. Each cover iscapable of ready and easy manipulation by the teller at the counter andis preferably self-locking. Also, preferably, means are provided Wherebyany teller or a person at a remote point, may, by a simple operation,cause all of the covers to cover and become locked over all of -FREGERICC. HIRONS, OF NEW YORK, AND FREDERIC W. MELLOR, 0F WHITE PLAINS,

ALVORD, 0F GREENFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS the working counters. This featureis extremely valuable as a protection against robbery by hold-up methodsduring hours when the currency and papers are exposed on these counters.Preferably, the covers are hidden from the view of a person standing ata tellers window. The individual working counters are preferablyseparated by small partitions which have guides for the covers and housethe closing mechanism.

In order that a clearer understanding of our invention may be had,attention is hereby directed to the accompanying drawings forming a partof this application and illustrating certain possible embodiments of ourinvention.

Referring tothe drawings, Figure 1 is a rear view of our bank fixture;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of our bank fixture and is taken online 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary crosssectional view takentransversely across our bank fixture, certain parts being broken away toshow more clearly certain features thereof, this view being taken online 3--3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary crosssectional view takenlongitudinally along our bank fixture, showing particularly certainparts of the mechanism for operating the roll top closures, this viewbeing taken on line 1-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of ourbank fixture showing more particularly the latch device automaticallyoperative to lock the roll top closure against movement when moved intoclosed position, this View being taken on line 5-5 of Figure 6;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross-sectional viewshowing a portion of the roll top closure with its associated latchdevice, this view being taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical cross-section al view through the loweredge of the roll top closure, showing particularly the handleconstruction by means of which the roll top closure may be manipulated,this view being taken on line 7-7 of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing the footpedal and associated electrical contact switch by means of which all thelatch bolt solenoids may be operated to retract the latch bolts,permitting the roll top closures to move into closed position, this viewbeing taken on line 8-8 of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the various circuit connections foroperating the pair `of latch bolts in each tellers compartment, two ofthe individual switches in separate tellers compartments being shownclosed and the latch bolts retracted; and

`Figure 10 is a similar diagrammatic view showing the circuitconnections for operating all the latch bolts within all compartmentssimultaneously, one of the switches conveniently positioned somewhere inthe bank being shown closed, this switch being operative to retract allof the latch bolts so that all the roll top closures will move intoclosed position.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Teferring to the drawings, the longitudinal partition 11, surmountedgrating 17, or windowed extension, and customers shelf 13, may be of anyusual construction, shelf 13, preferably eiitending an appreciableextent inwardly of the partition 11. A ledge or shelf 12, for thegeneral convenience of customers, cxten ds substantially the full lengthof the partition 11.

A plurality of transverse partitions 14, of suitable height, are securedalong one edge to the longitudinal partition 11 and are spaced apart aconvenient distance to define individual spaces or compartments for thetellers. lt will be understood that the longitudinal partition 11 can belocated and arranged as desired within the bank interior, and as manyteller spaces may be provided as necessary to care for the business ofthe bank. The transverse partitions 14 may be of any length desirableand convenient for the particular location. T)referably,`to economizespace, the partitions 141 do not extend back of the working shelves orcounters 15, which extend between the transverse partitions below thecustomers shelves 13, lf desired, a drawer 1G may be mounted beneatheach work shelf.

ln order that the teller or bank operator may properly protect thesecurities and valuables of which he is placed in charge, we provide aroll top closure which may be closed and locked over each workingcounter 15. rllhis roll top closure is designed to afford all theprotection and safety which a four-walled caged compartment having aself-closing and self-locking door provides. nach roll top closurecomprises a plurality of narrow strips or sections 18 hinged together attheir flange portions 19 in a well-known manner, as shown in Figure 3.rFliese hinged sections are preferably made of strong and durable metal.lt is understood that a roll top closure is provided. for each tellersworking counter, and extends the full width thereof.

To direct the movement of the roll top closure, we preferably provide apair of channel shaped guide members 20, one of the guide members beingfixed to or positioned within a recess provided in the inside face ofeach transverse partition forming the side walls of the tellers space.Each guide member 2O is preferably arch shaped in longitudinal outline,as shown in Figure 3, so as to direct the roll top closure along theinside face of the longitudinal partition 11, along the under j the sideedges of the roll top closure are adapted to ride. .c .1.) lt isessential th at means be .provided for moving the roll top closure fromopen to closed Vposition and vice versa, with ease and facility equiringthe least possible effort and time. Vilith thisin View, we provide acounroll top closure for'automatically7 moving the roll top closure fromopen to closed position when it Vis free-to do so.r A suitable weight 22is connected by means of a chain or cord23 to each end and to the frontedge of each roll top closure, as shown more particularly in Figures 3,4L and 5. Each transverse partition 14 is preferably hollow so as tohouse two counter-weights and associated comiecting?,- 5 chains. Asshown in Figures 3 and 1l, twov sets of vertical angleirons 24; areprovided in each partition to form guideways for the counter-weights.Four angle irons may form the guideway lfor a single counter-weight, 9each engaging a vertical edge of the counterweight.

The front edge of the roll top closure is preferably provided with anedge bar`25, as shown more particularly in Figures 3 and '6., rlhis edgebar is preferably of channel shape, one leg of the channel being secureddirectly yto the adjoining hinged section 18 of the roll top closure. Alug 26 projects from each end of the edge bar to a counter-weight chain22 which may be secured to these lugs. Y Each pair of counter-weightsare so weighted that they will normally operate to pull the rollV topclosure to closed position. A heavy edge bar 27 may be secured to therear h1ngedsec- 4? tion of each roll top closure, as shown more clearlyin Figure 3, to strengthen the rear edge thereof and to balance theeffects of the counter-weights 21.l

Means are provided to preventbinding of the roll top closure in theguide members,

and to insure uniform and smooth operation thereof. To this end, weprovide a pair of discs 28 having notches 29 cut in the peripheriesthereof, which are adapted to receive the iianged edges 19 of thesections 18 comprising the closure. The notched vdiscs 28 are positionedclose to the compartment side walls, and are preferably mounted on andsecured to a shaft 30 which extends the width 59 of the compartment,Each end of t 1e shaft 30 isjournalled in a suitable journal block 31fixed to a side Wall partition. The notched discs and connecting shaftare preferably located well under the shelf 13, so as to be out of theWay. It is understood that the notched ter-weight arrangementassociatedwith each 7 discs areso positioned as tojengage with the` anges 19 ofthe respective closure sections, and since both discs are fixed to theshaft they move in unison andthus maintain the sections in parallelalignment at all times, so that no binding action of the roll topclosure can take place. i i i A cushioning strip 32 may be providedinthe top of the working shelf 16 against which the front edge bar 25 ofthe roll top closure may seat when the roll top closure is in closedposition. This strip, however, may be omitted if the counteris coveredwith linoleum.

Means are provided to automatically .lock the roll top closureimmediately upon its arrival in closed position. lWe provide a rockingblock 33 pivotally mounted within the channel shaped edge bar 25, shownmore particularly in Figures 5 and 6. A slide rod 34 is connected at oneend thereof to eachend of thelrocling block. These rods extend inopposite directions and are slidably supported by suitable guide blocks35. T he free end of each slide rod is provided with a stud portion 36,which'is adapted to seat within a suitable hole or recess provided ineach guide member 20. A compression spring 37 encircles each slide rodand is retained between one of the guide blocks 35 and an abutmentcollar 38 secured to the slide rod. Each coil spring normally tends toproject the slide rod on which it is mounted in an outward,

direction. As soon therefore as the stud portion at the outer end 0feach slide rod is opposite the corresponding recess in the guideV member20, the stud portion will immediately project thereinto, locking theroll top closure in closed position. Each teller is provided` with'afley(not shown) adaptedv to be inserted into a suitable lock 39 operable torock or rotate the rocking block 33 so as to retract the stud portions36 from the recesses provided in the Aguide members. t is now seenthat'as soon as the roll top closure is moved into closed position, thesame will be automatically.V locked in closed position. Slide rods 34can only be retracted andthe roll top closure moved to' open positionwhen the authorized key is inserted into the lock. Each teller ischarged with the care of his own key, and he alone therefore can openthe rolltop closure in his compartment.

To facilitate the opening of the roll top closure, we preferably providea pair of hand gripsli() which can be easily grasped by the teller. Asshown in Figure 7, each handle may be made by providing a recess, inthefront edge'bar, so shaped as to conform to the human hand. Since theedge bar 25 is preferably made of heavy metal, these han,- dles may beformed integrally therewith by stamping or casting the bar so as toprovide yas tance beyond the The shelf 13 preferably `extends somedispath of movement of the roll top closure.A rThe overhanging portion4l prevents the roll top closure from being visible to anyone stationedoutside of the tellers counter. Unless a person entering the bank hasprevious knowledge of the roll top closure, he will have no way ofknowing that the tellcrs counter is so equipped. T his is of advantagewhen the teller is confronted with burglars, for example. The under sideof the overhanging portion of the counter may be recessed, as shown'inFigure 3, and illuminating means such as an electric light bulb 42 maybe positioned within the recess. A reflector 42" may be placed in thebulb receiving recess which will diffuse the light emanating from theelectric light bulb uniformly over the entire top portion of the workingshelf.

Means are provided to releasably retain each of the roll top closures inopen position. An opening is cut in the customer-"s counter directlyover each transverse partition, as shown more clearly in Figures 8 and4. A pair of latch bolts 43 are vertically mounted within suitablebrackets secured within each opening. Each bracket may comprise anattaching portion 44 and spaced collar portions 45 within which thelatch bolt is anapted to slide. An expausible coil spring 46 may beplaced over the upper end of each latch bolt and held in place thereonby a suitable cap 47 secured to the collar portion 45 of the bracket.The coil spring 46 normally operates to shoot its latch bolt downwardly.lf the roll top closure yhas been completely opened so that the frontedge thereof is positioned to the rear of the latch bolt, the coilspring associated therewith will operate to shoot the latch boltdownwardly and prevent downward closing movement of the roll topclosure. The roll top Closure can thus be retained indefinitely in openposition. A cover plate 48 which lies flush with the top surface of thecounter and is removably secured thereto, may be providedL to cover eachy hole cut in the counter.

An electrical device is provided by means of which the teller mayretract the latch bolts conveniently and with little effort, so as topermit his roll top closure to move into closed position. A solenoid 49may be associated with each latch bolt. The solenoid is positionedbetween the collar portions 45 of the supporting bracket and surroundsthe latch bolt 43, The latch bolt thus forms, in effec the core of thesolenoid. A vertical slot may be cut in each latch bolt into which slotthe end of a set screw 50 may extend to prevent the latch bolt fromrotating. lt is clear that by energizing` the solenoid the latch holtconstituting the core piece thereof will be drawn upwardly, so that thelower end of the latch bolt will be moved out of engagement with theroll top closure, permitting the roll top closure to be moved intoclosed position by its counter-weights.

Each pair of solenoids are connected in a suitable electric circuit.Referring more particularly to Figure 9, a power source, such as astorage battery 51, is provided. A switch 52 is 'conveniently located ineach tellers compartment. Closing of this switch by the teller willautomatically operate to retract the pairof latch bolts which maintainsin open position the roll top closure within his compartment. Thisswitch may comprise an ordinary button switch normally maintained inout-of-contact position by a suitable spring device 52. When the buttonswitch in compartment A. is closed, for example, current flows from thebattery 5l through conductor 53, through solenoid 49 positioned at oneend of the roll top closure, through conductor 54, through the switch52, through conductor 55, through the solenoid 49 positioned at theother end of the roll top closure, through conductor 56,through mainline conductor 57, and back to the battery. As soon as the latch boltsare retracted, counter-weights 22 will pull the roll top closure intoclosed position. It is seen that by means of this circuit arrangementthe teller is able to close the roll top closure over his counter' bymerely pressing the push button switch, and without disturbing the rolltop closures of any other teller.

lf the teller in compartment C, for example, desires to close his rolltop closure, he merely presses the push button switch 52 located withinhis compartment. Current 'from the battery 5l will then flow throughconductor 53, through conductor 58, through conductor 59, through one ofthe solenoids 49, through conductor 60, through compartment switch 52,through the conductor Gl, through solenoid 49 located within compartmentC, through conductor (l2, through main line conductor 57 and back to thebattery. It is seen th at by this arrangement each teller may close hisroll top closure with ease and facility, and without disturbance of theclosures located over any other counter.

` The switches in compartments B and D, for example, are-shown open andno current therefore flows through the latch bolt operating solenoids 49located therein. rlhe circuit from the battery through the latch boltoprating solenoids located in compartment P comprises conductor 53,conductor 58, conductor 63, one of the solenoids 49, conductor (34, theswitch 52, conductor G5, the other solenoid 49, conductor 66 and mainline conductor 57. rEhe circuit connection from the battery through thelatch bolt operating solenoids located in compartment D similarlycomprises conductor'l, conductor 58, conductor 67, one of the solenoids49, conductor 68, the switch 52, conductor 69, the other solenoid 49,conductor 70 and main line conductor V57.

In case of holdups and bank robberies it is desirable to provide meanswhereby all of the roll top'closures can be closed from various spacedpoints in the bank. This becomes evident when it is realized thatrobbers often prevent any protectiveaction being taken by the tellerwhose compartment they are planning to rob. To this end, we provide anarrangement whereby a person who is free to act may automatically closeall of the roll top closures over all of the counters at once, so as toprevent the robbers from gaining ac- Ycess to the securities andvaluables on any of the counters. To this end, we provide a tootpedalswitch located, for example, in the floor at each tellers compartment bymeans of which any teller, who is tree to act, may move into closedposition all of the roll top olosures located in the various tellerscompartments. lt will be understood, however, that these foot pedalswitch devices may also be variously located in the bank ywhere they`could readily be operated by anyone not under the immediate control ofthe robbers.

We have shown in Figure 8 a preferred form of toot pedal switch, whichmay be located in the `floor of the bank. A cavity may be cut inthe ioorand a suitable cover member is positioned thereover. The foot pedalswitch comprises a stem portion 71 and ar head portion 72. The covermember Comprises a cover portion 78 and a guide collar portion 74throughwhich the stem portion ot the 'foot pedal extends. The coverVmember may be secured to the iioor in any suitable manner, as by screws75. The lower portion 76 of the stem 71 may be of reduced cross sec-'tioir An expansible coil spring 77 surrounds the reduced portion 76 ofthe stemy and is retained between the shoulder portion 7 8 thereof andthe lower wall 79 ot the cover member. The coilspring normallytends toIproject the foot switch upwardly. A metallic contact collar 80 issuitably secured to the lower end of the stem portion of the foot switchas by clamping the same between a plate 81 and a nut 82 carried by thestem porrovided separating the contact collar 8O trom the stem 71.

An insulating` block 84 located below the i'oot switch may be securedwithin the hole in the loor'by a screw 85. The insulating block carriesa pair of contact points whichk may comprise ordinary iron bolts 86suitably secured thereto. rlhe wires or conductors leading thereto maybe contained within a suitable piping 87 embedded within the floor.

Referring now more yparticularly to Figure 10, let it be assumed thatthe foot pedal switch located in tellers compartment A is closed.Closing of this foot pedal switch will automatically retract the latchbolts in all the compartments, whereupon the counterweights will pullall of the roll top closures into closed position. vWhen the foot switchin compartment A is closed, for example, current will flow from thebattery 51, through conductor 53, through one of the solenoids 49 incompartment A, through conductor 54, through conductor 88, through thefoot switch 72, through conductor 89, through conductor 55, through theother solenoid 49 in compartment A, through conductor 56, through mainline conductor 57 and back to the b'attery,`thus retracting the latchbolts associated with the solenoids in compartment A and causing theroll top closures in compartment A to close.

Closing-of the foot switch in compartment A will also close the circuitbetween the battery and the latch retracting solenoids located incompartment B. With the closing ot the foot switch in compartment Acurrent Howsfrom the battery 51through conductor 58, through conductor58, through conductor 63, through one ot' the solenoids 49 incompartment B, through conductor 64, through conductor 90, throughconductor 91, through the foot switch 72 in 'compartment A, throughconductor 92, through conductor 93, throughY conductor 65, through theother solenoid 49 in compartment; B, through conductor 66, through mainline conductor 57 and back to the battery, thus retracting the latchbolts in compartment Band permitting the roll top closure therein tomove into closed position. In likey manner current will iiow from thebattery 51 through conductor 53, through conductor 58, through conductor59, through one of the solenoids 49 in compartment C, through conductor60, through conductor 94, through conductor 91, through the foot switch72 in compartment A, through conductor 92, through conductor 95, throughconductor 61, through the other solenoid 49 in compartment C, throughconductorY 62, through the main line conductor 57, and backV toy thebattery, thus retracting the latch bolts in compartment C, permittingthe roll top closure therein to move into closed position. in a similarmanner current will flow from Y the battery 51 through lthe conductor53, through conductor 58, through conductor 67, through one of thesolenoids 49 in compartment D, through conductor 68, through conductor96, through conductor 91, through the foot switch 72 in compartment A,through conductor 92, through conductor 97, through conductor 69,through the other solenoid 49 n understood that we contemplate using ourclosure member. In addition, it is seen that multaneously andimmediately. In the same V`manner, by closing the foot switch incompartment B, or the foot switch in compartment C, or the foot switchin compartment D, the latch bolts in all compartments can be retractedand the roll top closure therein will immediately be moved into closedposition. It is believed to be unnecessary to trace the various circuitsfrom the battery through the various solenoids affected by closing thefoot switch in compartment B, in compartment C,

or in compartment D, since these ciicuits can be traced similarly to thecircuits already traced in connection with the closing of the footswitch in compartment A.

It is now seen that we have provided a bank fixture readilyl adapted toreplace the socalled cages generally in use in financial institutions.Our bank fixture occupies little space and can be variously designed toharmonize with the bank interior. The transverse partitions 14 need notbe wider than the working counter l5. This permits the counter to beplaced within a few feet of the bank wall and still leave room for awide walkway in the rear of the counters. It will be bank fixture notonly in banks, but in any lo` cation where dealings are made andvaluables passed over a counter. `Wherever the word bank or financialinstitution apit will be understood that these terms are used todesignate any place where our fixture herein described would be foundconvenient yor desirable. Ample protection both to the teller and thesecurities and valuables of which he is in charge is provided for. Theteller or bank operator can quickly and easily close his roll topclosure whenever he desires to leave his position at the counter even'for a moment. A temporary teller may then transact business at thevacated counter without danger of confusion or loss of articles. Therolltop closure becomes automatically `locked when once moved intoclosed position `and cannot be opened without the aid of the proper key.No one can obtain access to the securities and valuables so enclosedupon the working counter without the authorized key,

`which the tellei carries on his person. The teller can open his rolltop closure with facility and ease by merely inserting his key into thelock, rotating the key through a small angle, and exerting a slightlifting movement on the lower edge bai' 25 of the we have provided asafety device by means of which any person not under the immediatecontrol of robbers, for example, may release .all of the roll topclosures in all the tellers compartments and effect their automaticclosing and locking. This operation can be performed with such facilityand ease as to foil any robbing operations.

As many changes could be niade in the above construction, and as manywidely different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter containedin the above description or shown in the ac coinpanying drawings shallbe interpreted illustrative and not in al limiting sense.

What we claim iszl. A bank fixture of the character described, includingin combination, a tellers compartment having a shelf, a working counterspaced from said shelf, a roll top closure adapted to move between saidshelf and said counter to enclose the space therebetween, said counterextending rearwardly of said enclosed space, means normally operative tomove said closure int-o closed position, a device for releasablyretaining said closure in open position, and electrical means forreleasing said retaining device.

2. A bank fixture of the character 'described, including in combination,a tellers compartment having a shelf, a working counter spaced from saidshelf, a roll top closure adapted to move between said shelf and saidcounter to enclose the space therebetween, said counter extendingrearwardly of said enclosed space, means normally operative to move saidclosure into closed position, a spring pressed latch adapted to normallyengage said closure to releasably retain the same in open position, andelectrical means operative to retract said latch to permit said closureto move into closed position.

3. A bank fixture of the character described, includiiig in combination,a tellers compartment having a shelf, a working counter spaced from saidshelf, a roll top closure adapted to move between said shelf and saidcounter to enclose the space therebetween, said counter extendingrearwardly of said enclosed space, a weighted device normally operativeto move said closure into closed position, a spring pressed latchadapted to normally engage said closure to releasably retain the same inopen position, and electrical means operative to retract said latch topermit said closure to move into closed position, said electrical meansincluding a solenoid connected in electrical circuit with a powersource.

4. A bank fixture of the character described, including in combination,a tellers` compartment having a shelf, a working counter spaced fromsaid shelf, a roll top closureI adapted to move between said shelf andsaid counter to enclose the space therebetween, said counter extendingrearwardly of said enclosed space, means normally operative to move saidclosure into closed position, a spring pressed latch positioned at eachend of said closure operative to normally retain said closure in openposition, and electrical means operative to retract both of said latchessimultaneously to permit said adapted to move between said shelf andsaidV counter to enclose the space therebetween, said counter extendingrearwardly of said enclosed space, means operative to move the closureinto closed position, and means for releasably retaining the closure inopen position, and electrical means whereby the retaining means for eachclosure may be released of tellers compartments,

individually to permit any closure tol move into closed positionseparately.

, 6. A bank fixture o-f the character described, including incombination, a plurality of tellers compartments, each of saidcompartments having a shelf, a work counter spaced from said shelf, aroll top closure adapted to move between said shelf and said counter toenclose the space therebetween, said counter extending rearwardly ofsaid enclosedV space, means operative to move the closure into closedposition, and means for releasably retaining the closure in openposition, andelectrical means adapted to be operated from a remote pointto retract all of said retaining' means to permit all of said closuresto movesimultaneously into closed position. L

7. A bank fixtue of the character described. including in combination, aplurality of tellers compartments, each of 'said'compartments having ashelf, awork counter spaced from said shelf, a roll top closureadaptedto move between said shelf and said counter to enclose the spacetherebetween, said counter extending rearwardly of said enclosed space,f

means operative to move the closure into closed position, and means forreleasably retaining' the closure in open position, and a plurality ofelectrical devices located at a variety of remote points, each of saidelectrical devices being individually operative to retract all of saidretaining means to permit all of said closures to move simultaneouslyinto closed position.

8. A bank fixture of the character described, including in combination,a plurality each of said compartments having a shelf, a work counterspaced from said shelf, a roll top closure adapted to move between saidshelf and said counter to enclose the space therebetween, said counterextending rearwardly of said enclosed space, means operative to move theclosure into closed position, and means for releasably retainingtheclosure in open position, and an electrical device conveniently locatedin each of said compartments, Aany one of said electrical devices' beingindividually operative to simultaneously retract all of said retainingmeans to permit all of said closures to move into closed position.

9. Aibank' iixture of the character described, including in combination,

Y a plurality of tellers'compartments, each of said comsei of saidlatches to permit all of said closures Y to move into closed position.

' l0. A bank fixture scribed, including in combination, a plurality oftellers compartments,` each of said compartments having a shelf, a workcounter of the character despaced from said shelf, a roll top closure Yadapted to move between said shelf and said counter to enclose the spacetherebetween, said counter extending rearwardly of said enclosedspace,means operative to move the closure into closed position, a latch forreleasably retaining the closure in open position, and means within eachcompartment whereby the teller therein may retract said latch to permitthe closure to move into closed position, and a plurality of electricaldevices located at variety of remote points, each of said electricaloperative to retractl all of permit all of said closures to movesimultaneously into closed position.

`ll. A. bank fixture of the character described, including incombination, a plurality of tellers compartments, each of saidcompartments having a shelf, a work counter spaced from said shelf, aroll top closure adapted to move between said shelf and said counter toenclose the space therebetween, said counter extending rearwardly ofsaid enclosed space, means operative to move the closure into closedposition, a latch for releasably retaining the 'closure in open posiion,and means within each compartment rwhereby the teller therein mayretract said latch to permit the closure to move into closed position,and an electrical device conveniently located within each of saidcompartments, any one of said electrical devices being individuallyoperative to retract all of said latches to permit all of said closuresto move into closed position.

This specification signed by said FREDERIC devices being individually Y.

said latches to roo.

los

C. IRONS and FREDERIC XV. MELLR this 14th day of May, 1929.

Y f FREDERIC C. HIRONS. 6.2; L VFREDERIC W. MELLOR. n

Th specification signed by said DANIEL R. YALVORD this 16th day of May,1929. Y

Y DANEL R. ALVORD.

sdf

